Menin Credits Lower Manhattan’s Success in Borough President Pitch

Julie Menin, a candidate for Manhattan Borough President who has served as Chair of Lower Manhattan’s community board since 2005, cited Lower Manhattan’s post-9/11 revival when asked for her pitch to voters.

“Well, I think it’s important to have people who have a strong track record of results and strong leadership, particularly in very tough economic times,” she began in an interview with Roberto Perez. “In Lower Manhattan, we faced one of the most arduous times any community can face. And we were able to turn this neighborhood into the fastest growing residential neighborhood in the City of New York, with over 30,000 new residents in the neighborhood since 9/11. We’re the fourth largest commercial business district in the country. We’re one of the few areas of the city that’s actually experiencing job growth.”

Lower Manhattan has indeed gone through one of the most significant transformations of any New York City neighborhood in the last decade, almost doubling in population as new residential space opened up. The Wall Street Journal contended the new residents have been particularly “lured by high-achieving schools, easy access to the waterfront and tax incentives that made it more affordable to buy new homes.”

Citing specific accomplishments, Ms. Menin gave two. “For example, whether that was fighting the 9/11 terror trial, or whether it was criticizing the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation … I discovered the LMDC was sitting on over $200 million dollars that people didn’t even know about. When Con Edison tried to lay claim to that money, we waged a fight against that and ultimately were successful, and able to allocate all $200 million to job-creating infrastructure projects in Lower Manhattan.”

Along with Councilwoman Jessica Lappin, Ms. Menin is one of two candidates openly fundraising for the Manhattan Borough President’s office. The position is widely expected to be open in 2013 when the incumbent, Scott Stringer, runs for Mayor. A wide range other candidates are said to be considering a run, including Council Members Gale Brewer and Robert Jackson.